As our loved ones get older, they may start needing more help around the house like a cleaning service. They may also need help walking, cooking dinner, and doing laundry. We want to be there for them as much as possible, but we have our own responsibilities to keep up with as well.
While this time with your loved one is meant to be special, all the extra work can take a toll on your energy and your nerves. Sometimes, you just need help getting things done, but there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the problem. Or is there?
You have options and either a cleaning service or an in-home companion can help you out. The best option is the one that can meet all of your needs. What are your needs?
What Does A Cleaning Service Offer?
A cleaning service can be contracted to go to your loved one's house and clean, usually on a routine basis, though many have a one-time deep-clean option. Someone will come into the home and clean, but besides asking a few questions, they will not have that much interaction with anyone.
A cleaning service can offer you many options, including the following:
- dusting
- vacuuming
- clean bathroom
- clean kitchen
- dishes
- laundry
- sweeping and mopping floors
While cleaning services are incredibly helpful, their services may not cover everything your loved one may need help with. In fact, some seniors can get upset and feel as if their independence is being taken from them. We should encourage our loved ones to continue doing their normal activities for as long as they can.
Benefits of Retaining Chores
Encouraging our loved ones to stay active, and helping them along the way, has tremendous benefits that will keep them healthy and strong. Chores, at their age, are considered light, non-invasive, exercises. Related benefits include:
- increases energy
- increase of strength
- decrease falls
- strengthen heart
- helps maintains flexibility
- helps retain cognitive function
Your loved one can continue doing the things that make them feel independent and in control as long as they get support when the task starts to become difficult. An in-home caregiver is a great support system to have when your loved one begins to need more help than you're able to give.
In-Home Caregiving Offers More
In-home caregivers can offer you much of what you can get from a housecleaner in addition to various tasks that take some of the weight off your shoulders and allow you to spend more quality time with the people you love.
Caregivers have many responsibilities, some of which include:
- medication reminders
- cooking and shopping
- routine hygiene care and support
- encouraging physical activity
- offer support during a physical activity
- help with exercise
- offer emotional support
- present in case of emergency
- companionship
Caregivers work directly with you and your loved one on exactly what help is needed and when it is needed. You can speak directly with professionals about your loved one and take a Free In-Home Assessment to decide what services you need and identify what chores, and other actions, your loved one can still do for themselves.
If caregiving sound more like what you need, contact the Senior Helpers of St. Charles, St. Peters, Chesterfield, Ballwin, West County, South County, and Jefferson County Missouri. Contact us to begin your new experience and we'll help your loved ones age in their own homes.